Wire stretcher and splicer.



No. 885,830. 7 PATENTED APR. 28, 1908.

' H. 15. BONBSTEELE.

WIRE STRBTCHER AND SPLIGER.

- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18. 1907) -LSHEIHIES-SHEET l.

PATBNTED APR. 28, 1903.

11. P. 'BONESTEELE. WIRE STRBTGHER AND SPLIGER.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.18. 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w I I, Q 7 1x a w 7 7 z w a mi 9 6 9 w 7 2 w 6 w 0 Wm 1 07 j /ZM No, 885,830. PATBNTED APR. 28, 1908.

11., P. BONESTEBLB.

WIRE ST'RETGHBR AND SPLIGER- APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 18 190"].

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

a simple, portable, and convenient device for like or 7 position.

I connector.

HARRY r. BONESTEELE,

PATENT OFFICE.

or IOWA FALLS, IOWA.

WIRE STRETCHER AND SIPLICER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IIARRY F. BONESTEELE, a citizen of the United States,.residiiig at Iowa Falls, in the county of Hardin and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful I n )rovenients in a, Wire Stretcher and Splicer, oi which the following is a description. 4 My invention relates to means particularly adapted to repairing the wires of telegraph or telephone l nes, fences, or the like, where one or more wires are extended between widely se iarated points, and are attached to posts, poles, or other suitable intermediate sup orts. I g

T ie object of my inventionis to provide.

the purpose described, and to this end my improvement consists in the novel construc tioii, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanyii g drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate, like or corresponding parts; Figure 1 is a plan viewof a simple form of my device with parts broken away to more clearly show the construction. Fi 2 is a partial section taken substantially on line 272 of 1. ig. 3 is a section taken substantially online 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is "a plan View of a. slightly modified form of my'device with parts broken away to niore clearl show the construction. Fig. 5 is-a side e evatio'n of the form shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 7 is a. plan view of a modified form of my device in operative Fig. 8 is an elevation of thefgrm shown in Fig. 7 with the splice partially fori'ned and with parts broken away to more clearly show the con Fig. 9 is a sectlon taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig.7. Fig. .10 is a section taken sijbstantially on line 10 1001 Fig. 8. Fig. 1;; is a partial detail of the preferred form of connector employed in the form shown in ,Fig. 7. Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on line 12-12 of Fig; 13. Fig. 13'isa section taken substantially on line, 1313 of Fig. 9. Fig- 14 is a section similar to Fig. 13, but showing a slightly finodified form of Fig. 15 is a plan view of a modified form of my device. Fig. 16 is a section takensu-bstantially on line 15- 16 of Fi '15. Fig. 1 7 is a section taken sub- Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed March 18,

r 'ci'in'iiected members each struction and operation;

. two arms 11 and 12 each other and arranged at their extremities to cooperate with a spring stantially on line 17 -17 of Fig. Fig. 18

. I p Patented April 28, 1908,

is a section taken substantially on line 1818 of Fig. 16. Figs. 19 and 20 are elevations showing a slightly modified form of conmotor; and Fig. 21 is an elevation of an-v other slightly modifiedform of connector.

, In the preferred form shown in the draw ings, mydev-ice consists of two rotatably I provided with means for independently engagingthe lapped ends of oppositely extended wires, and with convenient means toward each other, to tension the same, after which by rotating one of these members upon the other, the wires are closely wrapped for drawing said wires about each otherto form a splice and securely connect the wires.

In thei'orm shown in Figs. 1, 2, and3,

'1 and 2 are rotatably connected members,

the member 1 being formed to serve as a stock or handle,- and provided with a projection 3 suitably iormedto cooperate with the member 2 to rotatably connect the members. In the form shown the projection 3' is circular and provided with an annular groove 4 arranged tocoop'erate with at one end a'ring 5 upon the member 2 for this, pfurpose.

An opening 6 is providedthrough the projection 3 substantially the axis of the members from the opening 6 to the'periphery of the projection 3 and a similar slot 8 is provided in the member 2 to register with the slot 7 so that a wire orother similar article may be passed through the slots 7 and 8 into the opening 6. v Convenient means are also provided for attaching a wire to the In 'As shown two hooks 9 and 10 are provided, so ositioned that a wire may wit each to attach the same securely to the member.

and a slot 7 extends parallel to-and' near ember 1.

be engaged I 7 suitably spaced from to-rotatably support apin 14 adapted to serve as a winch in a manner hereinafter explained. The pin 14 may be either straight or tapering as preferred andis provided near one end with suitable means for engaging a wire, and with a ratchet wheel 15 adapted actuated .pawl 16 equivalent means to rotation of the pin.

upon t 1e memberll, or control the direction of Suitable means are also provided for engag+ f i As shown a provide'dfor this purpose which slightly flattened and provided ing the pin to rotate the same. head 17 is preferably the succeeding wraps of the wire will engage .site directions. The wire is passed .opening 6 and pin 14 will be wrapped about scribed consists of two similarly formed bars with an opening so that a bar or the handle I ofpliers may be inserted and employed to rotate the pin'thus providing sufficient leverage to secure any desired tension upon .the wires. Suitable means are also provided for attaching a wire to the pin 14. As shown two hooks 18 and 19 are provided upon the body of the pin about which a wire may be engaged leaving its free end extending in such a position that upon rotating the pin the free end and secure the same firmly in position.

In operation, suppose it is desired to splice the two wires 20 and 21, extending in oppothrough the slots 7 and 8 into the opening 6 and its free end is attached to the hooks 9a and 10. The wire 21 is similarly )ositioned in the opening 6 with its end attae ed to the hooks 18 and 19 upon the pin 14, when thus positioned the pin 14 is rotated until the desired tension is secured, first however preterably slightly rotating the member 2 upon the member 1 so that the slot 7 is closed by a ortion of the member 2 to prevent the possible displacement of the wires and 'a reversal of the device. After the desired tension is secured, it is obvious that, by holding the member 1 stationary and rotating the member 2, the part of the wire 21 between the the wire 20, after which by holding the memher 2 stationary and rotating the member 1 the part of the wire 20 at the opening 6 will be closely wrapped aboutthe wire 21 in a similar manner.

In the form above described that portion of the splice made by rotating the member 2 may be somewhat loose, that is, unnecessarily extended along the wire 20. To obviate this ditiiculty a artition 23 may be provided in the member 2 as shown, having two notches to engage the wires and preventing any tendency of the wires to twist between the pin 14 and partition 23 when the member 2 is rotated, and producing a closely wound splice upon that part of the wire 20 between the member 1 and the partition 23.

The form shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is very similar to that above described, the only substantial difi'erence residing in the member 2 which in place of being tubular as above de- 24-24 slightly separated and rigidly connected near their central portions. In place of the slotted ring 5 being formedrigidly upon the member 2 a slotted ring 25 is provided having suitable pins or gudgeons 26-26, arid the extremities of the bars 2424 are arranged to pivotally engage these gudgeons, thus attaching the member 2 to the member 1 both rotatably and pivotally, with the axis of its attachments at substantially right angles to each other The operation is substantially the same as above described except that when the member 2 is to be ro-- tated, it is turned upon its )ivotal axis to bring the wire 21 between tie pin 14 and opening 6 nearly at right angles to the wire able, and for small and medium sized wires,

have proved exceedingly satisfactory in actual practice. But where larger wires are to be spliced, the form shown in Figs. 7 to 14 inclusive may be found more desirable. In this form two substantially duplicate 1nemhere 27'-27 are provided preferably in all I particulars similar to the member 2 shown in Figs. 4 and 5. being attached directly to each other, are attached to the op osite sides of a connector 28 and substantial y in line with each other. In the form shown the connector 28 is formed of two pivotally connected parts 2929 similar to the opposing members of pliers or pincers, each part having a projection 30 with an annular groove 31 to receive the slotted ring 25 of the member 27, with the faces of the parts 29-29 formed as shown in Fig. 11, so that whenthe connector is closed, two similar openings 32-32 extend through the connector one upon each side near, and parallel to, the common axis of the rings 25-25.

Obviously when operating a device of this nature it is desirable that the hands of the operator should be as free as )ossible, and for this reason, if desired, alinir 33 or other suitable means may be pivotally attached near the extremity of one of the parts 29 adapted to engage the opposite )art when the jaws of the connector are closed, and hold them securely in their closed position. Also if desired a hook34 may be provided upon each of the members 27 to engage the wires being connected and support the members in their extended position during the manipulation of the device to tension the wires. In this form obviously those portions of the wires 20 and 21 positioned in the openings 32*32 are held substantially parallel, and the winding of the wires about each other takes place at ob osite sides of the openings. In Fig. 14 tile jaws are shown with but a single opening 32 to receive both wires. In this form the winding of the wires about each other is substantially continuous the full length of thesplice.

In the form shown in Figs. 15 to 18 inclusive one of the parts 29 of the connector 35 is attached near the center of a tubular mem ber 36, the opposite part 29 extending through aslot 37 into the interior of the tubular member 36 and engaging the wires substantially the same as in the form above dc- These members in place of sscs,sao

' scribed. In this form the oppositely dis-l posed rotat-able'members 38-38 are formed substantially similar to the members 2 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, ciice t that the adjacent cylindrical portions of 'these-members' are threaded upon their ating threads are formed upon the interior of the member 36, a suitable slot 39 being provided in both the members 36 and 38 so that a wire or wires may be inserted in, or removed from, the openings 32 between the jaws of the connector 35 as desired. form the members 38 -38 are screwed into the parts 36 upon each side of the connector 35 and'thc lap ed. portion of the wires 20 and 21 is positioned through the openings 32 32 in the connector 35 and engaged with the pins 40, which the desired tension in I the wires. After .from their position in the member 36, one wire 11 oii' each side being driven about the :other b y' means of the'hook-shaped projec- -tion"41 Y on'thei'partition 42 to form the s lice, it being desirable in most cases to s ightly loosen the wires during the wrapping process-by permitting the pins to rotate to unwind-the wire'afterthe first few turns are 'madeg' A: splice produced by. this device is substantially the same as thatproduced by the form shown in Figs. Z to 13 as heretofore described.

In Figs. 19and 20 a form of 'connefctoris shown preferablty) flprlgfed e piecie e se W1 ers;

of. a: sin th mer 'nb lar tothe members 2, and 2,7

a projection 4.4 is provided of theextremityof the jection- "h" an-. annul seas lasring and adapted to stanti all'y the same as those. I andrequires no furtheridescriptionfi I In Flg. 21 the connector'e'fiissubstantially the same as that shown in Fig.-=1-7.'- except in place of the tubularpalrtS-fi. with a part 47' similar o p 19 and20, except t t is only] rigidly attached to one of the aws ofjthe part 47 while the other jaw exten s'thr'ou h aslot similar to the connector shown in%ig. 1-7 but intended for use with-members27 'as hereinbeforedescribed; i

In the foregoing description; and .in' the drawings only the preferred fOIfnisbf my improvement are described and shown, but it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may bemade in my device without departin from the spirit .of my invention,

tfshown in Figs;

ing m self to the tion's' ,own'.

What I claim as new, and desire' -t by Letters Patent is:

s a evi of th kin ee iez be exact form and construcexterior, and cooper-' are then rotated to produce which ,th'e'members are merely unscrewed ;In 131118 form: opposite sides nnecmaeaqh 'p q-i gropve 45 to "re- ,p described. ,-The;

operation of this v'form s ,obviou ly. sub 3 before d cribecl t is provided once do not wish to be understood as limit oppositely said openings, and straining mg said wn'cs toward each common center, means upon said members for separately enga ing ti cxtence wires passed through means for drawother, whereby the wires ma y be strained to any desiredtension and by u )on the other the wires may be wra a out rotatably rotating one of said members pped each other to form a splice connecting In this the wires.

2. In a device more openings parallel with and near their common center, means u i forseparately erwaging t oppositely extended wires passed through said openings, and straining means for drawing said wires toward each other, whereby the wires may be strained to tension and by rotating one of said members u )on the other the wires may be wrapped a out each other to form the wires, and means for re easing the several parts from said 3. In a device of t members both rotatably and pivotally conof said connections at right angles to each other, means upon said members for separately en aging the lapped ends of oppositely extended wires, and strainoppositely tating one oppositcl y nectcd with the axes same' and draw w reby t pon said members 1e lapped ends of any desired a s lice connecting slpliced wire.

1e kind described, two

mg means for drawing said wires toward each 0t er, whereby the wires'niay be strained to any 'desired'tension and by rotatingone of said'members upon the other the wlres may be wrapped about each other to form a splice connecting the wires.

*In a device of the kind rotatably connected 'memb more? openings parallel with and near saidcommon center, means 11 on their members for separately on .exten sald openings, and straining means comprising a winchin rotatably mounted upon one of said mem ers, for drawing said wires to ward each other, whereby the wires may be strained to any desired described, two ers with oneor a ing t e lapped ends of e wires passed throu h the Wires maybe wrapped about each other to form a splice connecting the wires.

5. In a device of the rotatably connected nmm'bcrs with one or more openings parallel .common center, moans u NIH said members for separately engaging ti kind described, two

with and near their ic lapped ends of extended w means adapted to control the e wires may .be strained toany of the kind described, two' connected members, with oji-e or.

e lapped ends of iros passed through said openings, straining means comprising a winch-pin rotatably mounted upon "one of said members, direction ofrotation of said winch-pin and -mean'sfor engaging said pin to rotate the said wires-toward each other, 130

desired tension and by rotating one of Sit-iii members upon the other the wires may be wrapped about each other to form a splice connecting the wires.

In a device of the kind described, two members both rotatiibly and pivotally con" nectedwith tile axes of said connections ct right angles to euch other, and with one or more openings parallel. with and'neer their common center of rotation, means upon said members for sepamtcly coon ing the lapped ern of oppositef .l extender wiresposseci through said openings, and straining means comprising a winch-pin rotatably mounted upon one or" said members, and means for ear-- gaging said winch-pin to rotate the some and draw said wires toward each other, whereby the wires may be strained to any desired tension and by rotating one of said members u )on the other the Wires may be wrapped about each other to form a splice connecting the wires.

7. In a device of the kind described, two members both rotatably and pivotolly connected with the axes of said connections st right angles to each other, and with one or more openings parallel with and near their common center of rotation, means upon said members for separately engaging the hipped ends otop ositely extended wires passed through saic openings, and straining means comprising a winch-pin rotatably mounted upon one of said members, means for normally controlling the direction of rotation of said Winch-pin, and means for engaging said pin to rotate. the same and draw said wires toward each other, whereby the. wires may be strained to any desired tension and by rotating one of said members upon the other the wires may be wrapped about each other to form :1 splice connecting the wires.

8. in a device of the kind described, two members both rotatably and pivotully connected with the axes of said connections at right angles to each other, and with one or more openings parallel with and near their common center of rotation, means upon said members For separately engaging the lapped ends of oppositely extended wires passed through saidopenings, and straining means comprising a winch-pin rotatably mounted upon one of said members, means for normally controlling the direction of rotation of said winch-pin, and means for engaging said pin to rotate the same and draw said wires toward each other, whereby the wires may be strained to any desired tension, 'und by r0 toting one of said members upon the other,

the wires may be wrapped about each other to form :t' splice connecting the wires, and means for releasing the several parts from the spliced wire.

5). In a device of the kind .described, two pppositcly extended rotatably connected members, with one or more openings be tween said members parallel with and near their common center, moons upon said =ncmhers for separately engaging the lapped ends of oppositely extended wires passed through said openings, mil strainirng means For drowing said wires tow'ord each othe whereby dented v tension 8.!l.-Ill)V rotating one of said member said wires may be struined to an upon the other the may be u about each other to form r. splice connectiothe wires.

10. In a device of the hind d oppositely extended rotutuf members with one or more in parallel with. and men. center. means upon 1 separatelyengaging the lap positely extended wires pa: openings, and straining incnns upon on h member for drawing said wires tmrord or. '1 other, whereby the wires may be stmined to any desired tension and by rotating one. or said nibers upon the. other the wires me. be. nmpped about each other to form n. spliaw 7 lug the wires.

. i in u dcrice of the hind dew-f opposite y extended rotatobly con members r-ri'th one or more openings h rebetwecn parallel with and near their common center, a rotatable winch-pin mounted upon each member, means upon said winchpins for separately cugagmg the hipped ends of oppositely extended wires passed through said openings, and-menus for engaging said winch-pins to rotate the so me and t rstw said wires toward each other, whereby the wires may be strained to tiny desired tension and by rotating one of said members upon the other the wires may be wrapped uboul each other to Form :1 splice connecting the wires.

12. In a device of the kind dc ."rihcd, two oppositely extended rolotablu;connected members with one or more openings ihcrebw tween purnllcl with and near their common center, a rotatable wincu pin mounted upon ench member, means upon said winch-plus for separately engaging the hipped cuds oi oppositely extended wires passed through suid openings, and inconsi'm' enga ing said winch-pins to rotate the same and raw said wires tonnrd each other,,wherelrv the wires may be strained to any desired tension and by rotating one of said members upon the other the wires may be wrapped about ouch other to form a splice/connecting the wires, and means forrclensing the several parts from the spliced wire.

lit In a. device of the kind, described n connector, membeiis rotatablymounted upon. each side of said connector-mid one? or more openings throu h said, connector parallel with and near the center of rotation of said 'inembers, in combination with means upon said members tor separately engaging the lapped ends of oppositely extended wires LOU lit)

wires toward each other.

passedl through said openings, and straining means tor drawing saidwires toward each otherfwherebythewires may be strained to any desired tension and by rotating said- -members the'wires may be wrapped about each other to wires.

14. In a device of the kind described, a connector, a pair of members rotatably mounted upon opposite sides of said connector substantially in line with each other, and

form a splice connecting the one or more openings through said connector parallel with and near the common center of rotation ofsaid members, in combination with means upon said members for separately engagingthe lap ed ends of op ositely extended wires passed through saii openings, and straining means for drawing said;-

wires toward each other, whereby the wires may be strained to any desired tension and by rotating said members the wires may be wrapped" about each other to form :1 splice, connecting the wires.

p 15. In a device of'the kind described, a connector, a pair of members rotatably lmou'nted upon opposite sides of said connector substantially in line with each other, with one or more openings through said connector parallel with and near the common center of rotation of said members, in combination with a winch-pin rotatably mounted upon each member, means upon said winchpms for separately engaging the lapped ends "of oppositely extendbd wires passed through said openings, amlmeans for engaging said winch-pins to rotate the same and draw said 16. In a device of the kind described, a connector, a pair of members rotatably mounted upon opposite s des of saidconnector substantially in line with each other,

with one or more openings throu 'h said connector parallel with and near t e common center of rotation of said members, in combination with a winch-pin rotatably mounted upon each member, means upon said winchpms for separately on aging the lapped ends of oppositely extended wires passed through said openings, and means for engaging said winch-pins to rotate the same and draw said wires toward each other, whereby the wires may be strained to'any desired tensionand by rotating one of said members the wires may be. wrapped about each other to form 9. splice connecting the wires, and means for releasing the several parts from said spliced wire.

17.. Ina device of the kind described, a

connector, a pair'of members positioned at opposite sides of' said connector and each both rotatably and pivotally attached thereto with the axes of said attachments for each member at substantially right angles to each other, said connector having one or more 0' enings substantial] parallel to and near t e common center 0 rotation of said members, in combination with means upon said members for separately enga ing the lapped ends of oppositely extende wires passed through said openings, and strainin means for drawing said wires toward eac other, 7 whereby the wires may be strained to any desired tension. and-by rotating said members the wires may be wrapped about each other to form a splice connecting the 18. In a device of:the kind described, a connector, a pair of members positioned at opposite sides of said connector and each. both rotatively and pivotally attached thereto with the axes of said attachments" for each-member at substantially right. angles to each other, said connector havm one or more openings substantially paralleI to and near the common center of rotation openings, and means for engaging. said wmch-pins to rotate the same and draw said wires toward each other.

19. In a device of the kind described, a

connector, a pair of members positioned at opposite sides of said connector and each both rotatably and pivotally attached thereto with the axes of said attachments for each member at substantially right angles to each other, said connector having one or more openings substantially parallel to and near the common center of rotation of said members, in combination with a winch pin rotatably mounted upon each member, means upon said winch-pins for separately engaging the lappedf ends of oppositely extended wirespassed through said openings, 10 5 and means for engaging said winch-pins to I rotate the same and draw said wires toward each other, whereby the wires may' be strained to any desired tension and by rotating said members the wires may be wrapped about each other to form a splice connecting, the wires, and means for releasing the severaI parts from the spliced wire. iv. 20. In a device of the kind described, two rotatably connected members, means upon said members for separately engaging the lapped ends of oppositel extended wires, the lapped portion'of sai wires being positioned substantially parallel to and near the common center of rotation of said members, and straining means mounted upon one of said members for drawing said wires toward each other.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two sub scribing 

